Interview with Rhonda Paver, CEO, Owner and Founder of Stepping Stone School
In 1979, Rhonda Paver, M.A. arrived in Austin, TX with her husband Bill and three children, and quickly discovered what so many Central Texas families still experience today: finding affordable, high-quality early care and education is harder than it should be. Rather than accept that reality, Rhonda decided to change it. She founded the first Stepping Stone School campus in Austin that same year, and has spent the 45+ years since building one of the most recognized early childhood education organizations in Central Texas.
In this video interview, Rhonda shares the story behind Stepping Stone School in her own words, from the early days of that first campus in Austin to the growth of 20 award-winning locations now serving families across Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Kyle, Leander, and Cedar Park, TX.
What Rhonda Covers in This Interview
- What inspired her to found Stepping Stone School in Austin, TX in 1979
- Her philosophy on what high-quality early care and education really means for Central Texas families
- How Stepping Stone School has evolved over four decades while staying true to its founding values
- What she believes parents in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Kyle, Leander, and Cedar Park should look for when choosing an early childhood program
- Why the early years, from infancy through Pre-K, are the most critical window in a child’s development
- What she is most proud of after more than 45 years serving Central Texas children and families
About Rhonda Paver
Rhonda holds a Master’s degree in Child Development from UT Austin and has dedicated her career to elevating the standard of early childhood education across Central Texas. Under her leadership, Stepping Stone School has grown from a single campus to a nationally recognized organization that has shaped the lives of more than 200,000 children. The City of Austin honored her contributions by proclaiming March 23 as “Rhonda Paver Day” a reflection of the lasting impact she and Stepping Stone School have had on the Austin community and beyond.
To learn more about our programs across Central Texas, or to schedule a tour at a campus near you in Austin, Round Rock, Pflugerville, Kyle, Leander, or Cedar Park, visit our Find a School page.